# NTSB FTW04LA213: Cessna A185F, N1666R, New Braunfels, TX, August 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2004, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.704444, -98.042221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7044&lon=-98.0422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (SAT FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 59905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 51-hour student pilot lost control of the tailwind-equipped airplane while landing on runway 35 with the wind from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2004, at 1645 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F tail wheel-equipped single-engine airplane, N1666R, was substantially damaged during an attempted landing on runway 35 at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport (KBAZ), near New Braunfels, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The 47-nuatical mile cross-country flight originated from the Castroville Municipal Airport (T89), near Castroville, Texas, at 1600. The 51-hour student pilot reported in a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was attempting to land on runway 35 with the winds from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. He stated that he lowered the upwind wing to maintain directional control, but as soon as the right main landing gear touched down, the airplane skidded toward the left side of the runway and finally ground looped, coming to rest on its nose on the grass on the left side of the runway. Runway 35 is a 5,364-foot long, by 100-foot wide asphalt runway. The runway was reported to be dry, and in good condition. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the right wing, as well as damage to the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1666R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185F - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-02389 - Airframe hours: 2726.41 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stan T. Sigman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2004, 2.5 hours before - Departed: T89, Castroville, TX - Destination: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Airport: KBAZ, New Braunfels Municipal, runway 35, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 51 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KBAZ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040812019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040812019199A), Aug 12, 2004: Cessna A185F, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing, the student encountered crosswinds. The aircraft skidded to the left side of the runway on the outbd. Side of the right tire before the right… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.